Locking assemblies for confining heddle supporting rods in frames



Dec. 3, 1968 R N SUHR 3,414,022

LOCKING ASSEMBLI ES FOR CONFINING HEDDLE v SUPPORTING RODS IN FRAMES Filed April 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROBERT N. SUHR ATTORNEYS H Dec. 3, 1968 R. N. SUHR 3,414,022

LOCKING ASSEMBLIES FOR CONFINING HEDDLE SUPPORTING RODS IN FRAMES Filed April 22, 1.966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT N. SUHR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 3,414,022 LOCKING ASSEMBLIES FOR CONFINING HEDDLE SUPPORTING RODS IN FRAMES Robert N. Suhr, Marietta, Ga., assignor to Pioneer Heddle & Reed Company, Inc., Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Filed Apr. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 544,535 2 Claims. (Cl. 139--92) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heddle rod locking assembly for use in conjunction with a conventional lheddle frame including a pair of opposed jaws which are movable toward and away from each other for selectively clamping and thereby arresting appreciable movement of heddle rods or for releasing the heddle rods. The opposed jaws are carried by a supporting structure, which is in turn carried by the heddle frame and includes means for spacing the opposed jaws from the heddle frame and means for simultaneously moving the opposed jaws toward each other to selectively clamp heddle rods between the jaws and arrest appreciable movement of the heddle rods.

This invention relates to heddle frames for looms and is more particularly concerned with locking assemblies for confining the heddle supporting rods in the frames.

A conventional heddle frame is so constructed that the ends of the heddle rods may be easily detached in order to add or take off heddles from the rods. To accomplish this, the heddle frame is usually provided with spring members which detachably engage and retain the end portions of heddle rods. The inherent disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the heddle rods will tend to move with respect to the frame and cause wear between the spring members and the ends of the heddle rods. If the heddle rods could be positively arrested relative to the frame, the wear would be eliminated or at least reduced materially.

In some weaving operations, the detachment of the ends of the heddle rods from the frame is so infrequent that it would be desirable to lock the ends of the heddle rods securely in place.

Another problem inherent in coventional heddle frames is that the heddle rods may tend to bow, thereby causing a difference of spacing between the ends of the heddle rods and the central portions thereof. This bowing prevents the free slidable movement of the heddles on the heddle frame. Indeed, severe bowing of the heddle rods may result in a bowing of the heddles themselves or a binding of the heddles against the heddle rods.

To maintain parallelism between the heddle rods, it has been usual practice to provide center braces or tie bolts which prevent movement of the top and bottom rails of the frame and, at the same time, 'provide heddle rod supporting devices Which extend from the inner edges of the rails and engage the heddle rods so as to fix the distance between the rails and the heddle rods. While this arrangement has improved the structure, nevertheless any inward warping of the top and bottom rails (however), may result in an inward bowing of the heddle rods.

Briefly described, the present invention which obviates or reduces to a minimum the problems described above includes the provision, on a conventional heddle frame, of one or a plurality of heddle rod locking assembles in which each assembly is characterized by a pair of opposed jaws which are movable toward and away from each other for selectively clamping and thereby arresting appreciable movement of the heddle rods or for releasing the heddle 3,414,022 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 rods. A supporting structure, carried by the frame, carries the opposed jaws and is simultaneously tightened for limiting movement of the jaws, as the jaws are tightened.

In the various species of the invention as illustrated in the drawings, each supporting structure is depicted in the first embodiment, as being mounted in a corner on either the top rail or the bottom rail for supporting end portions of the heddle rods. In the second and third embodiment, the supporting structure is depicted as being mounted in different ways on the end strut and in the last embodiment, the supporting structure for the jaws is depicted as being carried by both the top and the bottom rails for supporting intermediate portions of the heddle rods.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide in a heddle frame, a locking assembly which will essentially immobilize the heddle rods within the frame so that there is little or no movement of the heddle rods relative to the frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a heddle frame, a locking assembly which will appreciably reduce relative movement between the heddle rod and the frame and thereby reduce the wear on the frame and on the heddle rods and reduce replacement or repair of the respective elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a heddle frame, a locking assembly for reducing relative movement between the heddle rods and the frame, which assembly is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in structure, and efficient in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking assembly for reducing relative movement between the heddle rods and the frame and which can be easily and inexpensively installed on conventional heddle frames and readily removed therefrom, when desired to return the frame functionally to its original condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a heddle frame, a locking assembly which while arresting movement of the heddle rods will, at the same time, in1- prove the rigidity of the frame.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a heddle frame having one form of the locking assembly of the present invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing one corner portion of the heddle frame and locking assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the jaws of the locking assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of another form of jaw which may be substituted for the jaw seen in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one corner portion of the frame illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing a second embodiment of the present invention being installed theron;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the frame illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention being installed thereon;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of that portion of the heddle frame illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring now in detail to the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that in its broader aspect, the present invention is not limited to the exact details herein depicted, the frame proper in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 includes top and bottom rails and 11, respectively, which are formed of wood or metal or the like.

The ends of the top and bottom rails 10 and 11 are connected by end struts 12 and 13, which are usually formed of metal but may be formed of wood, if desired, the rails 10 and 11 and the end struts 12 and 13 forming a rigid open rectangular member in which the rails 10 and 11 are disposed parallel to each other and the end struts 12 and 13 are disposed parallel to each other, the end struts 12 and 13 being perpendicular to the rail 10 and 11.

Within the frame proper and disposed inwardly adjacent and parallel to the rails 10 and 11, respectively, are pairs of parallel disposed heddle supporting rods or heddle rods 14, 15, 16 and 17, which the prior art discloses as being capable of being supported in a variety of ways and may, if desired, project through apertures in the end struts. In FIG. 1, I have illustrated one prior art method of supporting the ends of the heddle rods 14, 15, 16 and 17 by means of spring members or spring fingers 18, 19, 20 and 21. In FIG. 6, still another form of spring member or spring finger 19a is illusrated for releasably holding the heddle rods 14a and a which protrude through the end strut 12a. It will be understood that still other methods of attaching the heddle rods will occur to those skilled in the arts.

Suspended between the upper and lower heddle rods 14 and 16 are a plurality of heddles 22, seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. A second set of heddles 23, seen in FIG. 5, is carried by the upper and lower heddle rods 15 and 17. The structure thus far described is essentially conventional.

According to the present invention, respectively adjacent the corners of the frame proper are the locking assemblies, denoted generally by numerals 30. It will be understood that, in some instances, the provision of my locking assemblies 30 at the corners of the frame proper will eliminate the need for the Spring members, such as 18, 19, 20, 21 and 19a.

Since each of the locking assemblies 30 is identical in construction, only one of the locking assemblies 30 will be described in detail, that locking assembly 30 being disposed in the lower left hand corner of the frame in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, in particular, the locking assembly 30 includes a support structure characterized by a straight, preferably cylindrical shaft or rod which, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, is in the form of a stove bolt 31 provided with an enlarged head 32 at one of its ends. The other end of the shaft 31 is external-1y threaded as in numeral 33.

The shaft 31 protrudes through an appropriate aperture or cylindrical hole 34 in the rail 11 adjacent strut 12 and parallel thereto, the shaft 31 projecting inwardly well beyond the inner edge of rail 11. The inwardly projecting portion of the shaft 31 receives a sleeve or spacer member 35 which may include appropriate washers or shims 36, if desired. Sleeve or spacer member 35 is of predetermined length and is a right, cylindrical, tubular member open at both ends and is received in coaxial relationship on shaft 31, shaft 31 projecting through the hollow cylindrical central portion of spacer member 35. Inwardly of the sleeve 35, and whatever shims or washers 36 that there may be, if any, is an outer or relatively fixed jaw 37 and still further inwardly is the inner or movable jaw 38. Jaws 37 and 38 are identical in construction and are disposed in opposed facing relationship with shaft 31 projecting through the holes, such as hole 40, therein.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that jaw 37 is a square or rectangular block of metal having flat, opposed,

parallel surfaces, such as surface 39, and a central hole 40 for receiving shaft 31. Passing on opposite sides of the hole 40 along surface 39 are a pair of straight parallel grooves or recesses 41 and 42 which are adapted to receive the upper or lower edges of the heddle rods, such as heddle rods 16 and 17, respectively. The grooves 41 and 42 extend from one edge of the block of jaw 37 to the other and are both spaced inwardly of the edges adjacent which they pass, thereby providing ledges or flanges 43 and 44 for overhanging the heddle rods. It will also be understood that the grooves 41 and 42 are each wider than the width of the heddle bar, thereby being adapted to readily receive the edge of the heddle bar so that the inner shoulders 45 and 46 of grooves 41 and 42 and the flanges 43 and 44 confine the edges of the heddle bar in parallel relationship.

- The jaws 37 and 38, as seen in FIG. 5, are disposed in opposed relationship such that the grooves 41 and 42 in the jaw 37 are parallel to and facing their complementary grooves in the other jaw 38, for receiving the outer edges of the heddle rods 16 and 17 while the grooves on the inner jaw 38 receive the inner edges of the heddle rods 16 and 17, whereby shaft 31 passes between the adjacent heddle rods 16 and 17.

Outwardly of the jaw 38, the shaft 31 is provided with a washer 47 and a nut 48 is received on the threaded portion 33 of shaft 31.

It will be readily understood that when the nut 48 is then tightened, compression forces are applied between the head 32 and the nut 48, thereby urging the elements between the head 32 and the nut 48 together. Since one end of the sleeve or spacer 35 abuts the inner surface of rail 11 while the other end of sleeve or spacer 35 abuts the outer surface of the outer jaw 37, or abuts and appropriate shim disposed therebetween, the position of the jaw 37 is essentially fixed with respect to rail 11, spacer member 35 limiting movement of jaw 37 toward the rail 11. Thus, further tightening of the nut 48 urges the inner jaw 38 toward the outer jaw 37, thereby positively clamping the heddle rods 16 and 17 therebetween at a fixed distance from rail 11. Any wear on the structure is compensated for by simply tightening the nut 48 further.

Since the elements 30 are disposed adjacent the struts 11 and 12, respectively, with their shafts, such as shaft 31, disposed parallel to the struts 12 and 13, the spacing of heddle rod 14 with respect to heddle rod 16 is essentially fixed and in like manner, the spacing of heddle rod 15 with respect to heddle rod 17 is essentially fixed and any wear on the end portions of the heddle rod, or between the heddle rods and the spring element, such as spring fingers 18, 19, 20 and 21, will not affect the spacing apart of these heddle rods 14, 15, 16 and 17.

It will be understood that in the event the locking assemblies 30 are no longer needed, the nuts, such as nut 48, may be removed from the shafts, such as shaft 31, and the shaft 31 then removed from the hole in its associated rail, thereby releasing the sleeve or spacer member 35, the shim 36, and the jaws 37 and 38, as well as the washer 47. Thus, these elements may then be readily removed from the frame, leaving the frame functionally the same as it was prior to the installation of the locking assembly.

Referring to FIG. 4, the modified form of jaw illustrated therein includes a fiat, annular member, denoted by numeral 37b, the diametrically opposed peripheral segments of which are bent along their respective parallel chords to positions perpendicular to the plane thereof to provide flanges 43b and 44b. It will be understood that a pair of jaws, such as jaw 3712, are substituted for the jaws 37 and 38 in the assembly heretofore described. The jaws, such as jaw 37b, are arranged in opposed relationships so that the flanges, such as flanges 43b and 44b, protrude inwardly with respect to each other so as to overlie the outer edges or edge portions of the heddle rods 16 and 17. When a jaw, such as jaw 37b, is employed, it is preferable to utilize a large diameter bolt for shaft 31 so that the sides of such a bolt define shoulders which prevent appreciable inward movement of the heddle rods 16 and 17 while the flanges 43b and 44b of the opposed jaws 37 b prevent outward movement thereof, in the same manner that the flanges 43 and 44 of the jaws, such as jaw 37, prevent outward movement of the heddle rods 16 and 17. Furthermore, it is preferable when using jaws, such as jaws 37 b, that the spring members, such as spring members 18, 19, 20, 21, 19a, be retained, the primary function of the jaws 37b being to limit vertical movement of the heddle rods 14, 15, 16 and 17, as opposed to lateral or transverse movement.

Referring to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be seen that, in the event that it is not desirable for the locking assembly to be carried by one of the rails, a modified form of locking assembly may be utilized which is adapted to be carnied by one of the end struts. In that form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, an L-shaped bracket or brace includes a jaw 37a and a spacer 35a disposed perpendicular thereto, the spacer member 35a and the jaw 37a being joined at abutting ends. Spaced parallel grooves, such as grooves 41 and 42, may be provided longitudinally in the arm of the bracket forming the jaw 37a, if desired. The spacer member 3512 is provided with a pair of spaced holes through which project bolts 36a, the bolts 36a projecting through appropriate apertures of holes in the end structure 12a so as to mount spacer member 35a flat against the inner surface of strut 12a between the rail a and the heddle rods 14a and 15a and fix the position of the outer jaw 37a at a spaced distance and parallel to the rail 10a. A bolt or shaft 31a, having a head 32a, protrudes through the jaw 37a in an inwardly or downwardly direction and receives a jaw 38a which is identical to the jaw 37, illustnated in FIG. 3. Outwardly of the jaw 380, the shaft 31a receives a nut 48a.

Upon tightening of the nut 48a, the jaws 38a and 37a will be tightened upon the heddle rods 14a and 15a in much the same manner as previously described, it being understood that the inner jaw 38a limits outward movement of and positions the heddle rod 14a and 15a with respect to the rail 10a.

In the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, it will be seen that, if desired, the bracket includes a jaw 37c and a spacer 35c disposed in perpendicular relationship to each other and joined along a common edge. The spacer 35c is secured to the inner surface of the end strut 12c by bolts or the like denoted by numeral 36c. Jaw 370 is parallel to and spaced from rail 11c.

A bolt or shaft 310 projects through an appropriate hole in the jaw 37c and receives a jaw 38c identical to the jaw 37, illustrated in FIG. 3. A nut 480 is threadedly received in the end of the bolt 310, the nut being denoted by the numeral 480. When nut 480 is tightened, the heddle rods, such as rod 16c, are clamped between the jaws 37c and 38c, as previously described for the preceding embodiment.

Referring now to the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, it will be seen that, when desired, the locking assembly of the present invention may be utilized intermediate the ends of the heddle rods and in conjunction with the center brace. Indeed, where a heddle frame is subjected to extreme stress conditions, it may be found desirable to utilize the locking assembly adjacent the four corners of the frame proper in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 6 or FIG 8, and, in addition, provide additional center braces which incorporate the locking assembly illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Referring specifically to FIGS. 9 and 10, the heddle frame proper includes an upper or top rail 10d and a lower rail or bottom rail 11d. A tie rod or center brace 31d in the form of a shaft or bolt extends through aligned apertures or holes in the top or upper rail 10d and in the bottom or 6 lower rail 11d, the threaded end of the bolt 31d being provided with a nut 48d.

Disposed on the shaft 31d between the inner surfaces of rails 10d and 11d are a plurality of spaced sleeves or spacer members 35d, d and 235d. The central spacer member 135d is appreciably longer than either the outer spacer members 35d or 235d. Indeed, the length of the spacer member 135d is slightly less than the distance between the two pairs of parallel heddle rods, that is, the distance between rod 14d and 16d and between rod 15d and 17d. Each of the spacer members 35d, 135d and 235d are pieces of metal tubing which form right cylindrical tubular members and through which. the rod or shaft 31d projects.

Between the adjacent ends of spacer member 35d and 135d are a pair of opposed facing jaws 37d and 38d while between the adjacent ends of the spacer member 135d and 235d are a pair of opposed facing jaws 137d and 138d, the jaws 38d and 1380. being inwardly of the respective outer jaws 37d and 137d. Each of the jaws 37d, 38d, 137d and 138d is identical to the jaw 37 seen best in FIG. 3 and received on the shaft 31d, the shaft 31d projecting through the hole or aperture therein, such as hole 40.

From the preceding description, it will be understood that the grooves in jaws 37d and 38d receive the upper and lower edges of the heddle rods 14d and 15d, while, at the same time, the grooves in jaws 137d and 138d receive the edge portions of the heddle rods 16d and 17d. When the heddle rods are so disposed, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the nut 48d is tightened, thereby urging the elements disposed between the cap and head 32d inwardly. The sleeves or spacer members 35d, 135d and 235d are each of a specific predetermined length such that only very slight flexing (under normal conditions) of the .rails 10d and 11d will result in the clamping action of jaws 37d, 38d, 137d, 138d on the heddle rods 14d, 15d,

16d and 17d. This tightening of the nut 48d materially strengthens the rigid frame structure or frame proper, while at the same time, positively fixing the distance between heddle rod 14d and 16d and heddle rod 15d and 17d. The grooves in the respective jaws 37d and 38d also fix the spacing transversely or laterally of the heddle rods 14d and 15d. Likewise, the grooves in jaws 137d and 138d fix the lateral spacing of the heddle rods 16d and 17d. Therefore, not only is the parallel relationship of the heddle rods preserved, but the spacing thereof is also preserved so that the heddles carried by the rods are freely slidable and will function properly.

It will be obvious, that when rod or shaft 31d is removed, after removal of nut 48d, the elements of the locking assembly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be readily removed from the heddle frame, if desired.

It will also be apparent that the various elements constituting the locking devices hereinabove disclosed are quite inexpensive to manufacture and. do not materially increase the weight of the resulting heddle frame.

As pointed out above, the structure illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, namely the fourth embodiment of the invention, is primarily utilized intermediate the ends of the frame and the heddle rods while the structures illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 are primarily utilized at the corners thereof. In severe cases where a heddle frame to be subjected to quite unusual conditions of stress, it may be found necessary to utilize the locking assemblies for the corners in conjunction with the locking assemblies for the intermediate portion of the heddle rods and to utilize several intermediate locking assemblies, in the event that the harness is quite long.

The structures hereinabove described have been found quite effective in preventing any appreciable movement of the heddle rods and indeed essentially rendering the heddle rods immobile with respect to the remainder of the frame. This, of course, cuts down on the wear resulting at the ends of the heddle rods where the heddle rods are engaged by the spring tongues. Also, this tends to reduce the wear on the heddle rods and on the end struts, in the event that the heddle rods projects through the end struts. Also, the wear on any apertures in the end portions of the heddle rods is reduced.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments here chosen for the puropse of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a heddle frame of the type having opposed rails and end struts connecting the ends of the opposed rails to form an open frame proper and wherein heddle rods are disposed respectively inwardly adjacent the inner edges of said rails for slidably supporting heddles therebetween, the combination therewith of a locking assembly comprising a pair of opposed jaws movable relative to each other toward and away from each other and disposed adjacent at least one of said heddle rods, supporting means mounted on said frame proper for carrying said jaws, means for adjusting the position of said jaws with respect to each other for rigidly clamping the opposed surfaces of the heddle rod between said jaws and spacer means for fixing the position of one of said jaws relative to said frame and for arresting movement of said one of said heddle rods with respect to its associated rail, said supporting means including a shaft projecting from said frame and said spacer means including a hollow sleeve surrounding said shaft and disposed between one of the rails and said one of said jaws.

2. In a heddle frame of the type having opposed rails and end struts connecting the ends of the opposed rails to form an open frame proper and wherein heddle rods are disposed respectively inwardly adjacent the inner edges of said rails for slidably supporting heddles therebetween, the combination therewith of a locking assembly comprising a pair of opposed jaws movable relative to each other toward and away from each other and disposed adjacent at least one of said heddle rods, support means mounted on said frame proper for carrying said jaws, means for adjusting the position of said jaws with respect to each other for rigidly clamping the opposed surfaces of the heddle rod between said jaws and spacer means for fixing the position of one of said jaws relative to said frame and for arresting movement of said one of said heddle rods with respect to its associated rails, said jaws defining opposed aligned grooves and said supporting means including a shaft projecting from said frame proper through said jaws and between the grooves of each of said jaws and means on said shaft for biasing said jaws toward each other for clamping said heddle rods, one on one side and and the other on the other side of said shaft, and said spacer means for fixing the portion of one of said jaws including a sleeve between one of said side rails and one of said jaws and surrounding said shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 732,033 6/1903 Barber 13991 2,001,236 5/1935 Bahan 139-92 2,037,381 4/1936 Kaufmann 13992 2,076,148 4/1937 Kaufmann 132-92 FOREIGN PATENTS 958,059 5/1953 France.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

J. KEE CHI, Assistant Examiner. 

